Dependent power supplying apparatus and electronic instrument

ABSTRACT

A semiconductor power supplying apparatus driven by a power source includes at least two driven circuits for performing prescribed data processing when electric power is supplied. An electric power supplying circuit is provided so as to convert power from the power source as needed to supply at least two driven circuits with electric power in accordance with voltages that the driven circuits need. A driven circuit power supplying condition signal generating device is provided so as to generate a driven circuit power supplying condition signal for determining a power supplying condition of all of the at least two driven circuits. A power supplying control signal generation circuit is also provided so as to generate a power supplying control signal for controlling operation of the power supplying circuit. The power supplying control signal is generated from the driven circuit power supplying condition signal and determines an order of supplying power to the at least two driven circuits so that the at least two driven circuits can receive dependent power supplying.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Rule 1.53(b) continuation of application Ser. No.11/234,479, filed Sep. 23, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,333,860, which inturn is a Rule 1.53(b) continuation of application Ser. No. 10/107,466,filed Mar. 26, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,952,619, issued Oct. 4, 2005,the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This patent specification generally relates to power supplies, and moreparticularly, to power supplies suitable for instruments such as mobilephones and information terminals using batteries as electric powersources.

2. Discussion of Background

Mobile phones, mobile information terminals, and similar devices includepower supplies using batteries as electric power sources and convert avoltage into a prescribed level and supply each function block such as aprocessor of the mobile phone therewith.

Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. 11-265234 refers to a powersupply that attempts to lower power consumption by controlling a powersupplying circuit such as a DC/DC converter, a voltage regulator, etc.,to be dependently driven.

Such a power supply is illustrated in FIG. 17, and supplies a drivencircuit 65 with electric power from a first battery 70 via a powersupplying circuit 62 and diode 64. Electric power from a second battery61 is also supplied to a driven circuit 65 via a diode 63.

The second battery 61 and diode 63 are provided as a backup when otherpower is blocked.

One or more primary power supplying circuits 71 are connected to battery70. To the primary power supplying circuits 71, a secondary powersupplying circuit 72 is connected. The primary power supplying circuits71 supply a first driven circuit 81 with electric power, for example of3.0 v, via a power source line 91. The secondary power supplying circuit72 supplies a second driven circuit 82 with electric power, for exampleof 2.0 v, via a power source line 92. The first and second drivencircuits 81 and 82 are connected to each other via a data line 83. Thesecond driven circuit 82 receives and processes the data that is outputfrom the first driven circuit 81 via the data line 83. The first drivencircuit 81 receives and further processes the data that is output fromthe second driven circuit 82.

These first and second driven circuits 81 and 82 do not necessarilysimultaneously start operations. Specifically, the first driven circuit81 operates from time to time. The second driven circuit 81 operatesonly whenever the first driven circuit 81 operates, i.e., never operatesalone.

A control circuit 73 is provided and includes a voltage detectioncircuit 130 and a secondary electric power control section 131. Thecontrol circuit 73 is ready to supply a scheduled voltage, when theprimary electric power supplying circuit 71 starts operating and aprescribed time has elapsed thereafter. A first voltage detectionsection provided in the voltage detection circuit 130 outputs a Highsignal to the secondary electric power control section 131 when asupplied voltage to the primary electric power supplying circuit 71reaches a prescribed level. In addition, a first oscillation sectionprovided in the secondary electric power control section 131 startsoscillation when the primary electric power supplying circuit 71 startsoperating. However, the first oscillation section requires a prescribedperiod of time until the oscillation condition is stabilized.

A primary reset signal generation section provided in the secondaryelectric power control section 131 includes a pair of flip-flops, andoutputs a High reset signal after a prescribed period of time haselapsed when a first voltage detection section of the voltage detectioncircuit 130 outputs a High signal. The reset signal is given to thefirst driven circuit 81. The first driven circuit 81 receiving the Highreset signal achieves the above-described stable oscillation output atthat time, and starts operating with a necessary electric power via anpower source line 91 from the primary electric power supplying circuit71.

After having processed and transferring data to the second drivencircuit 82, the first driven circuit 81 gives an instruction signal tothe secondary power supply control signal generation section of thesecondary electric power control section 131 so as to enable the seconddriven circuit 82 to operate. When receiving the instruction signal, thesecondary power supply control signal generation section gives asecondary electric power supplying control signal to both the secondarypower supplying circuit 72 and a second voltage detection sectionprovided in the voltage detection circuit 130. In addition, a detectionoutput of the first voltage detection section is input to the secondaryelectric power supply control signal generation section. The secondaryelectric power supply control signal generation section controls thesecondary power supplying circuits 72 not to operate even if receivingthe above-described instruction signal, until obtaining a High signal asthe above-described detection output. The secondary electric powersupply control signal generation section controls the secondary powersupplying circuit 72 to stop operating when the above-describeddetection output is a Low signal.

When receiving the secondary electric power supply control signal of aHigh level, the second voltage detection section starts detecting. Inaddition, the secondary power supplying circuit 72 starts operating uponreceiving the secondary electric power supply control signal. When thesecondary power supplying circuit 72 starts operating, a conditioncapable of supplying a scheduled voltage is established a prescribedperiod of time thereafter.

The second voltage detection section of the voltage detection circuit130 outputs a High signal to the secondary electric power controlsection 131 when a supplied voltage to the secondary power supplyingcircuit 72 reaches a prescribed level. In addition, a second oscillationsection of the secondary electric power control section 131 startsoscillating when the secondary power supplying circuit 72 startsoperating, and requires a prescribed period of time until theoscillation condition becomes stable.

The second reset signal generation section of the secondary electricpower control section 131 outputs a reset signal of a High level after aprescribed period of time has elapsed from when the second voltagedetection section of the voltage detection circuit 130 outputs a Highsignal. The reset signal is given to the second driven circuit 82. Afterreceiving the reset signal of the High level, the second driven circuit82 achieves the above-described stable oscillation output from thattime, and starts operating with necessary electric power supplied viathe power source line 92 from the secondary electric power supplyingcircuit 72. In addition, the above-described second oscillation sectionand second reset signal generation section drive with electric powersupplied from the secondary electric power supplying circuit 72.

The above-described configuration can lower the power consumption whencompared with a configuration in which a dependent electric powersupplying circuit (i.e., a secondary electric power supplying circuit)dependently operates when a main electric power supplying circuit (i.e.,a primary electric power supplying circuit) operates. Specifically,power to the dependent electric power supplying circuit can be suppliedonly when needed.

Recently, two or more power sources requiring dependent control areutilized in core (e.g. CPU) and I/O sections in a device (e.g. LSI) ofan instrument, such as a mobile phone, a mobile information terminal,etc., including a battery as a power source.

Specifically, in such a conventional system as illustrated in FIG. 18,electrical power of a power source 101 composed of a battery is given toa driven circuit from a power supplying circuit. In addition, a controlsignal is given to one or more devices 1101 to 110 n (i.e., dependentrelation devices), in which two or more power sources used in a coresection and an I/O section are to be dependently controlled, from acontrol signal generation circuit 102. Electric power is supplied to thedependent relation devices 1101 to 110 n from the power source 101 basedupon an electric power supply control signal output from an electricpower supply control circuit.

A power supplying circuit 111 is provided in the dependent relationdevice 1101 and supplies power to a driven circuit 112, in which two ormore power sources should be dependently controlled to be supplied tothe core section and I/O section (i.e., a voltage input section).

In such a situation, even if a circuit section operable with a lowvoltage is utilized in the device 1101, the power consumption of device1101 is not lowered because a single power source needs to match thehighest voltage circuit included in the device 1101.

As illustrated in FIG. 19 as one example, each of the dependent relationdevices 1101 to 110 n includes a plurality of power supplying circuits1111 to 111 n, so as to supply power to the driven circuit 112. Inaddition, a system controller gives electric power supply controlsignals for turning ON/OFF a driven circuit, and controls each of theplurality of power supplying circuits 1111 to 111 n.

According to this configuration, since an optimal operation voltage issupplied to the driven circuit in the device, power consumption can belowered in a system of the type illustrated in FIG. 18. However,respective power supplying circuits 1111 to 111 n should be controlleddepending upon an operation speed of a system.

A technology discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No.11-265234 can be applied to a system having the power supplying circuits1111 to 111 n having dependent relation.

Specifically, the voltage 1 input section of the driven circuit 112 ofFIG. 19 which receives electric power from the power supplying circuit1111, corresponds to the first driven circuit of FIG. 17. Whereas, thevoltage 2 to n input sections thereof which receive respective electricpower from the power supplying circuits 1112 to 111 n corresponds to thesecond driven circuit.

In such a situation, the second driven circuit of the voltage 2 to ninput sections can be independently controlled. Otherwise, respectivethird to n-th driving circuits can be connected and dependentlycontrolled.

Further, when a device wherein two or more power supplies are to beprovided in its core and I/O sections and need to be dependentlycontrolled corresponds to the second driven circuit of Japanese PatentApplication Laid Open No. 11-265234, the voltage 1 input section, whichreceives electric power from the primary power supply of the drivencircuit, serves as the second driving circuit. Also, the voltage 2 to ninput sections, which receive electric power from the secondary powersupplying circuit, serve as a third driving circuit.

In such a situation, the third driving circuit of the voltage 2 to ninput sections independently controls. Otherwise, respective 4 to n+1driving circuits are connected and dependently controlled.

However, when electric power is to be supplied to a device where two ormore power supplies are dependently controlled in the core and I/Osections, the voltage 1 input section is necessarily firstly suppliedwith electric power, and the voltage 2 to n input sections arecontrolled to selectively receives power supply. As a result, theabove-described conventional technology is incapable of performingcomplex dependent power supply control by an optimal timing for thevoltage 2 to n input sections.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, an object of the present disclosure is to address andresolve the above and other problems and provide a new power supplyingapparatus. The above and other objects are achieved by providing a novelpower supplying apparatus driven by a power source including at leasttwo driven circuits that performs prescribed data processing whenelectric power is supplied. An electric power supplying circuit may beprovided so as to convert and supply the at least two driven circuitswith electric power transmitted from the power source in accordance withan amount of voltage that the driven circuit needs. A driven circuitpower supplying condition signal generating device may be provided so asto generate a driven circuit power supplying condition signal fordetermining a power supplying condition of each of the at least twodriven circuits. A power supplying control signal generation circuit mayalso be provided so as to generate a power supplying control signal forcontrolling the power supplying circuit to operate. The power supplyingcontrol signal may be generated from the driven circuit power supplyingcondition signal and determines an order of supplying power to the atleast two driven circuits so that the at least two driven circuits canreceive dependent power supplying.

In another embodiment, the condition may be related to turning ON/OFFthe at least two driven circuits.

In yet another embodiment, the dependent power supplying is performedsuch that subsequently supplied one or more driven circuits are turnedON only when a main power supplying circuit is turned ON.

In yet another embodiment, the main power supplying circuit is the mostfrequently utilized circuit.

In yet another embodiment, the driven circuit includes core and I/Osections requiring two or more power supplies, wherein said two or morepower supplies are dependently controlled.

In yet another embodiment, the dependent control is performed such thatsubsequently supplied one or more driven circuits are turned ON onlywhen a main power supplying circuit is turned ON.

In yet another embodiment, the driven circuits use different amounts ofpower.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the present disclosure and many of theattendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the samebecomes better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block chart for illustrating a first embodiment of a powersupply apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a block chart for illustrating a second embodiment of thepower supply apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a chart for illustrating an exemplary operational conditionfor driven circuits;

FIG. 4 is a timing chart for illustrating control signals illustrated inFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a block chart for illustrating a specific example of asecondary power supplying circuit use control circuit;

FIG. 6 is a block chart for illustrating an exemplary secondary powersupplying circuit;

FIG. 7 is a block chart for illustrating a specific example of anothersecondary power supplying circuit;

FIG. 8 is a block chart for illustrating a third embodiment of the powersupply apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a block chart for illustrating a fourth embodiment of thepower supply apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a block chart for illustrating an exemplary driven circuit;

FIG. 11 is a block chart for illustrating another exemplary drivencircuit;

FIG. 12 is a block chart for illustrating a fifth embodiment of a powersupply apparatus;

FIG. 13 is a block chart for illustrating a sixth embodiment of a powersupply apparatus;

FIG. 14 is a block chart for illustrating another exemplary secondarypower supplying circuit;

FIG. 15 is a block chart for illustrating a seventh embodiment of apower supply apparatus;

FIG. 16 is a block chart for illustrating a eighth embodiment of a powersupply apparatus;

FIG. 17 is a block chart for illustrating a conventional power supplyapparatus;

FIG. 18 is a block chart for illustrating in detail a portion of theconventional power supply apparatus illustrated in FIG. 17; and

FIG. 19 is a block chart for illustrating in detail another portion ofthe conventional power supply apparatus illustrated in FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals and marksdesignate identical or corresponding parts throughout several figures,in particular in FIG. 1, a power supply apparatus according to the firstembodiment is illustrated using a block circuit chart. A systemillustrated in FIG. 1 may include a device 11 where two or more powersupplies are needed in its core and I/O sections to be dependentlycontrolled.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, electric power from a power source 10including a battery may be supplied to a driven circuit 5 that performsa main control or the like and is a principal power supply objective. InFIG. 1, although a single circuit is described as the driven circuit 5for convenience sake and the driven circuit 5 is practicallyindependently configured as a main circuit, it may be configuredincluding a part of a circuit of the driven circuit 11 as mentionedlater.

Electric power from the power source 10 may be supplied to a powersupplying circuit including a plurality of electric power supplyingcircuits.

The above-described driven circuit 5 may include a power supplyingcircuit and a control signal generation circuit 5 a. The dependentdriven circuit 11 may not operate unless the driven circuit 5 operates.The dependent driven circuit 11 may be controlled by a control signal(e.g. a timing clock, an initializing reset signal and so) on given fromthe control signal generation circuit 5 a. A control circuit (not shown)that generally controls the entire system may supply the control signalgeneration circuit 5 a with driven circuit power supply conditionsignals for determining turning ON/OFF conditions of respective drivencircuits 11. The driven circuit power supply condition signal may begiven at a predetermined timing so as to operate the dependent drivencircuit 11.

Respective power supplying circuits 1 to n may supply two or morevoltage input sections (e.g. voltage 1 to voltage n input sections) ofthe driven circuit 11 with electric power in accordance with voltagesrequired therein.

To the control signal generation circuit 5 a, a detection signalindicating an amount of a power supply voltage of the power supplyingcircuit 6 may be given. Based upon a detection signal, power may besupplied from these power supplying circuits 1 to n to the drivencircuit 11. Specifically, electric power may be dependently controlledand supplied to the driven circuit 11 so that voltage 2 to n inputsections are turned ON or OFF only when the voltage 1 input section isturned ON. Such dependent control is also required in order to avoidleakage of current in the device.

Thus, a plurality of operation required circuits is installed in thedriven circuit 11, and a circuit in operation may be informed to thecontrol signal generation circuit 5 a with a detection signal.

The control signal generation circuit 5 a may output an electric powersupplying control signal for controlling respective power supplyingcircuits 1 to n to selectively operate based upon the above-describeddriven circuit power supply condition signals and the detection signalgiven by the applicable driven circuit 11.

As described above, the system according to the present invention ofFIG. 1 includes a single device 11 in which two or more power suppliesare dependently controlled in its core and I/O sections for conveniencesake. However, a plurality of devices 11 can be controlled. In such asituation, the number of power supplying circuits may be increased inaccordance with the number of devices.

In addition, a power supplying control signal controlling the powersupplying circuit 6 to operate may be given to the power supplyingcircuit 6 after being generated from the timing clock and initializingreset signals, respectively input from the control signal generationcircuit 5 a, and a control signal, such as a driven circuit power supplycondition signal input by the system controller. The respective powersupplying circuits 1 to n may supply the driven circuit 11 with electricpower while controlled by the above-described power supplying controlsignal, such as an ON/OFF control signal, a standby ON/OFF controlsignal, etc.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, an order of operating driven circuits in thedriven circuit 11 may be controlled by a feedback signal from the drivencircuit 11 when the control signal and the driven circuit power supplycondition signals are received.

A circuit that first operates in the driven circuit 11 may be thevoltage 1 input section. The power supplying circuit 6 may receive adriven circuit use electric power from the battery or power source 10such as a system stabilizing power supplying circuit, and supply suchelectric power to an applicable driven circuit of the first operationrequired voltage 1 input section.

Respective power supplying circuits 2 to n may also receive drivencircuit use electric power from the power supplying circuit 6, and thensupply such electric power to the second and later circuits among thedriven circuit in the electric power 2 to n input sections.

The control signal generation circuit 5 a may receive all of a drivencircuit power supplying condition signal from the system, a controlsignal such as a timing clock signal, an initializing reset signal,etc., and a power supply voltage detection signal from the voltagedetection circuit provided in the power supplying circuit 6. The controlsignal generation circuit 5 a may then output a driven circuit usecontrol signal such as a driven circuit use clock, a reset signal, etc.,and electric power supplying control signals 1 to n.

In accordance with the electric power supplying control signals 1 to n,turning ON/OFF conditions of the respective voltage 2 to n inputsections, and its timing and order may be dependently controlled. As aresult, power consumption can be lowered. In addition, the controlsignal generation circuit 5 a by detection may receive feedback of adetection signal from the driven circuit 11, and driving may beperformed in a prescribed order in accordance with the condition of thedriven circuit 11.

A more specific second embodiment is now described with reference toFIG. 2. The second embodiment may constitute the control signalgeneration circuit (5 a) of FIG. 1 with a first control signalgeneration circuit 5 b for generating timing clock and initializingreset signals, and a secondary power supplying circuit use controlsignal generation circuit 17 that is provided in a device 11 in whichtwo or more power sources disposed in its core and I/O sections shouldbe dependently controlled to be supplied. Also in a driven circuit 16provided in the device 11, plural circuits to which the delivery ofrespective power should be dependently controlled are provided in itscore and I/O sections.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, a plurality of devices 111 to 11 n, inwhich two or more power supplies that need to be dependently controlledare provided to core and I/O sections, may operate after a drivencircuit (not shown) including a control signal generation circuit 5 boperates. Then, a circuit of the driven circuit 16 in respective devices111 to 11 n may dependently be supplied with power at a prescribedtiming. An operation performed after a power is supplied to the device111 from the power source 10 may be described below.

The device 111 may include a driven circuit 16 in which two or morepower supplies of core and I/O sections should be dependentlycontrolled.

The device 111 may include a device use primary power supplying circuit4, and plural device use secondary power supplying circuits 181 to 18 nfor supplying electric power. The power source 10 may supply the primarypower supplying circuit 4 with electric power. The primary powersupplying circuit 4 may then supply the secondary power supplyingcircuit use control signal generation circuit 17, secondary powersupplying circuits 181 to 18 n, and the driven circuit 16 with electricpower. A primary power supply voltage detection circuit 14 may detect avoltage of the primary power supplying circuit 4. The detection signalmay be given to the secondary power supplying circuit use control signalgeneration circuit 17 as a primary power supplying control signal.

When starting operation, the primary power supplying circuit 4 may beready to supply a prescribed voltage after a prescribed time period haselapsed. The primary power supply voltage detection circuit 14 may givea High signal to the secondary power supplying circuit use controlsignal generation circuit 17 when the primary power supplying circuit 4generates the prescribed voltage.

The secondary power supplying circuits 181 to 18 n may becorrespondingly provided for respective voltage 1 to n input sections inthe driven circuit 16. The secondary power supplying circuit 181 to 18 nmay convert electric power transmitted from the primary power supplyingcircuit 4 and supply a prescribed voltage in accordance with an amountof voltage required in a circuit of the respective voltage 1 to n inputsections.

The secondary power supplying circuit use control signal generationcircuit 17 may generate a secondary electric power supplying controlsignal such as an ON/OFF control signal, a secondary power supplyingcontrol signal such as a standby condition ON/OFF control signal, and adriven circuit use control signal such as a clock ON/OFF control signal,and a reset signal for controlling a driven circuit. These signals maybe generated from a control signal, such as clock and reset signals, adriven circuit power supply condition signal transferred from the systemcontroller, and a detection signal from the primary power supply voltagedetection circuit 14.

Thus, the embodiment may be characterized in that the system receives acontrol signal and a driven circuit power supplying condition signal areutilized and a secondary power supplying circuit use control signalgeneration circuit is included.

The primary power supplying circuit 4 may receive a driven circuit useelectric power from a power source 10 including a system stabilizingpower supplying circuit or a battery, and supply a circuit in a voltage1 input section, which firstly operates in the driven circuit 16, withelectric power.

The secondary power supplying circuits 181 to 18 n may receive drivencircuit use electric power from the primary power supplying circuit 4and supply respective driven circuits in the voltage 2 to n inputsections subsequent to the first driven circuit, which subsequentlyoperate in the driven circuit 16, with electric power.

The secondary power supplying circuit use control signal generationcircuit 17 may be supplied with electric power by the primary powersupplying circuit 4.

The secondary power supplying circuit use control signal generationcircuit 17 may receive a driven circuit power supply condition signalfrom a system controller, a control signal such as clock and resetsignals from the control signal generation circuit 5 a, and a primarypower supply voltage detection signal from the primary power supplyvoltage detection circuit 14. The secondary power supplying circuit usecontrol signal generation circuit 17 may then output a driven circuituse control signal, such as a clock, a control signal e.g. a resetsignal, etc., and secondary electric power supplying control signals 1to n.

Both a turning ON/OFF condition and timing of voltage 2 to n inputsections of the driven circuit 16 may be controlled and determined bysecondary power supplying circuit use control signals 1 to n output fromthe secondary power supplying circuit use control signal generationcircuit 17. As a result, power supply is dependently performed and powerconsumption can be lowered.

An operation of power supply is now described in more detail by mainlyreferring to the secondary power supplying circuit use control signalgeneration circuit 17.

A relation between signals output and input to and from the secondarypower supplying circuit use control signal generation circuit 17 may beillustrated in FIG. 4, when the voltage 1 to n input sections are inconditions as illustrated in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the embodiment of FIG. 2 is described.Asterisk may illustrate a condition where the primary power supplyingcircuit 4 is turned ON, and the primary power supplying control signal(e.g. a voltage detection signal) from the primary power supply voltagedetection circuit 14 is at a High level.

A circuit or circuits of the voltage 2 to n input sections of FIG. 2 mayoperate in accordance with the condition of FIG. 3, after a circuit ofthe voltage 1 input section firstly operates.

Specifically, the primary power supplying circuit 4 may be turned ON,and the primary power supplying control signal (e.g. a voltage detectionsignal) from the primary power supplying voltage detection circuit 14may become a High level. Then, a system reset signal may be given to thedriven circuit 16 as a driven circuit use control signal. After that,the driven circuit may be reset in accordance with electric power givenfrom the primary power supplying circuit 4. Such reset condition maythen be fed back to the secondary power supplying circuit use controlsignal generation circuit 17 from the driven circuit 16 as a conditiondetection signal.

When the circuit of the voltage 1 input section operates, secondaryelectric power supplying control signals may be supplied to therespective secondary power supplying circuits 182 to 18 n from thesecondary power supplying circuit use control signal generation circuit17 so that the circuits of the voltage 2 to n input sections can operatein accordance with the condition of FIG. 3. When the circuit of thevoltage 1 input section is turned OFF, all circuits of the voltage 2 ton input sections may be turned OFF due to the dependent control.

When the circuit of the voltage 1 input section is turned ON, one ofvoltage input sections “b” can perform ON/OFF only in a case when thatof “a” is turned ON. When the circuit of the voltage 1 input section isturned ON, a voltage input section “d” can be turned ON/OFF only in acase a voltage input section “c” can be turned ON. In addition, in sucha case, a section “c” may get powered earlier than a section “d” whensuch “c” and “d” are simultaneously turned ON. Further in such a case, asection “d” may power down earlier than a section “c” when such “c” and“d” are simultaneously turned OFF. When the circuit of the voltage 1input section can be turned ON, a section “f” is turned ON/OFF only whensections e1 to en-1 can be turned ON. Thus, the dependent control may beperformed depending upon the condition of the voltage 1 input section.

To satisfy the above-described condition, at least driven circuit powersupply condition signals of FIG. 4 may be supplied to the secondarypower supplying circuit use control signal generation circuit 17 fromthe system controller. The secondary power supplying circuit use controlsignal generation circuit 17 transmits secondary power supplying controlsignals to the respective secondary power supplying circuits 182 to 18 nbased upon a condition detection signal transmitted from the drivencircuit 16 and a driven circuit power supply condition signal suppliedthereto.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, “a” to “f” may correspond to the respective voltage 2to n input sections based upon a design. For example, correspondence maybe determined as appropriate in accordance with a condition of a circuitto be operated such that “a” corresponds to the voltage 2 input section,“b” corresponds to the voltage 3 input section, “e1” corresponds to thevoltage 2 input section, “en-1” corresponds to the voltage n-1 inputsection, and “f” corresponds to the voltage n input section. Inaddition, depending upon intended purpose, “a” can be the voltage 1input section.

To operate circuits of the voltage 1 to n input sections under thecondition of FIG. 3, respective signals are generated as illustrated inFIG. 4 and input thereto.

The condition of FIG. 3 may be just one example, i.e., a condition canpreferably be selected in accordance with a type of a driven circuit 16to be used.

As illustrated by a time chart of FIG. 4, when a driven circuit powersupply condition signal as a primary electric power supply controlsignal transmitted from the system controller is given to the voltagedetection device 14, the primary power supplying circuit 4 may be turnedON. A voltage of the primary power supplying circuit 4 comes to aprescribed voltage level when a prescribed time has elapsed thereafter.The voltage detection signal may then become a High level.

The secondary power supplying circuit 18 may be controlled to be turnedON/OFF by a secondary power supplying control signal. An exemplaryconfiguration of the secondary power supplying circuit 18 may beillustrated in FIG. 6. A primary power supply given from the primarypower supplying circuit 4 may be given to a secondary power supplyingcircuit 180 provided in the secondary power supplying circuit 18. Afterreceiving the secondary power supplying control signal and being turnedON, the secondary power supplying circuit 180 starts operating. Thesecondary power supplying circuit 180 may then be ready to supply aprescribed voltage when a prescribed time period has elapsed thereafter.The secondary power supply voltage detection circuit 181 may give a Highsignal as a reset signal to a voltage input section when the supplyingvoltage of the secondary power supplying circuit 180 comes to theprescribed level. The detection signal from the secondary power supplyvoltage detection circuit 181 may also be given to an And circuit 182which also receives a system clock signal. A clock signal may be givento the voltage input section from the And circuit 182.

As mentioned above, the reset signal may be given to the voltage inputsection of the driven circuit 16. A circuit of the voltage input sectionhaving received the reset signal of the High level may receive a stableclock signal at the time and start operating with necessary electricpower via a power supply line from the secondary power supplying circuit180.

Such a configuration may reduce power consumption unlike a configurationin which another dependent electric power supplying circuit (i.e.,secondary electric power supplying circuit) is always operated when themain electric power supplying circuit (i.e., primary electric powersupplying circuit) operates. Specifically, electric power can besupplied to the dependent electric power supplying circuit only when itis required.

FIG. 5 is a chart illustrating a specific embodiment of theabove-described secondary power supplying circuit use control signalgeneration circuit 17. The circuit of FIG. 5 may be configured tosatisfy the condition of FIG. 3, and output a secondary power supplyingcontrol signal of FIG. 4 when receiving the primary power supplydetection signal and the driven circuit power supply condition signal(i.e., secondary) of FIG. 4.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the secondary power supplying circuit usecontrol signal generation circuit 17 may be configured by a combinationcircuit composed of a plurality of And Gates 190 to 194, a pair of delaycircuits 200 a and 200 b, and a pair of OR circuits 201 a and 201 b.Such a secondary power supplying circuit use control signal generationcircuit 17 may receive a driven circuit power supply condition signalfrom a system controller, a control signal such as a reset signal from acontrol signal generation circuit, and a primary power supplying voltagedetection signals from a primary power supplying voltage detectioncircuit of a device.

The secondary power supplying circuit use control signal generationcircuit 17 may control the combination circuit and delay circuit andthen output a signal of driven circuit use control signal, such as adriven circuit use clock signal for each device, a reset signal, aprimary power supplying control signal, and secondary power supplyingcontrol signals 1 to n for an applicable device.

FIG. 7 is a chart illustrating another specific embodiment of thesecondary power supplying circuit use control signal generation circuit17. The circuit of FIG. 7 may be configured similarly to the circuit ofFIG. 5 so as to satisfy the condition of FIG. 3. Specifically, it mayoutput a secondary power supplying control signal of FIG. 4, when theprimary power supply detection signal and driven circuit supplyingcondition signal (secondary) of FIG. 4 are given.

The circuit of FIG. 7 may include a memory circuit 170 and a delaycircuit 200. Such a circuit may receive a driven circuit power supplycondition signal from the system, a control signal such as a resetsignal from the control signal generation circuit, and a primary powersupply voltage detection signal from the primary power supply voltagedetection circuit of each device. The memory circuit 170 and delaycircuit 200 may be controlled to output a driven circuit use controlsignal, such as a clock signal for each device, a control signal such asa reset signal, a primary power supplying control signal, and secondarypower supplying control signals 1 to n.

A third embodiment is now described with reference to FIG. 8. In theembodiment of FIG. 2, a secondary power supplying circuit use controlsignal generation circuit 17 is provided in each device 11. In contrastthereto, in the third embodiment of FIG. 8, a device 111 that should befirstly operated may include a secondary power supplying circuit usecontrol signal generation circuit that is commonly utilized by remainingdevices 112 to 11 n. This embodiment thus attempts to minimize a circuitscale by commonly using a control circuit use power supplying circuit.

As noted from FIG. 8, this embodiment includes almost the same devicesand functions in a similar manner as the second embodiment except forthe following applicable devices and functions. A device 111 may firstlyoperate among devices 111 to 11 n.

The secondary power supplying circuit use control signal generationcircuit 17 may receive electric power from the power source 10 via thecontrol signal generation circuit use power supplying circuit 6.

When starting operation, the primary power supplying circuit 4 may beready to supply a prescribed voltage after a prescribed time period haselapsed. The primary power supply voltage detection circuit 14 may givea High signal to the secondary power supplying circuit use controlsignal generation circuit 17 when the primary power supplying circuit 4is the prescribed voltage.

The secondary power supplying circuit use control signal generationcircuit 17 may start operating while receiving electric power from thecontrol signal generation circuit use power supplying circuit 6.

As described above, only a device 111 that should firstly operates mayinclude a secondary power supplying circuit use control signalgeneration circuit 17 and a control signal generation circuit use powersupplying circuit 6. Specifically, remaining devices 112 to 11 n cancommonly utilize these circuits. In such a way, a number of circuits canbe minimized by commonly using a circuit or circuits for controllingpower supply in a system. In other respects, the configuration may besimilar to that of the second embodiment of FIG. 2. Further, to use thesecondary power supplying circuit use control signal generation circuit17 in remaining devices 112 to 11 n, condition detection signals outputfrom the respective devices 112 to 11 n may be given to the secondarypower supplying circuit use control signal generation circuit 17.

Signals to be generated by the secondary power supplying circuit usecontrol signal generation circuit 17 may be gene rated similarly tothose generated as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. In addition, a specificcircuit therefor may be configured as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Thus, a circuit may be decreased in scale.

Further, the circuit may be decreased in scale by commonly using asecondary power supplying circuit use control signal generation circuit17, and generating respective secondary electric power supplying controlsignals 1 to n.

A fourth embodiment is now described with reference to FIG. 9. Theembodiment of FIG. 2 may include a secondary power supplying circuit usecontrol signal generation circuit 17 in each of the devices. In contrastthereto, in this fourth embodiment, a device 111 that should firstlyoperates may include a secondary power supplying circuit use controlsignal generation circuit that is commonly utilized by remaining devices112 to 11 n. In addition, this embodiment does not supply a power fromthe primary power supplying circuit, unlike the second embodiment, butsupplies power from a battery or a system stabilizing power supplyingcircuit, thereby seeking to decrease scale by a decreased load on apower supplying circuit. Specifically, this embodiment thus seeks tominimize a circuit scale by simplifying a control circuit-use powersupplying circuit.

The remaining portions and functions may be similar to those describedin the second embodiment except for the following applicable devices andfunctions.

The power source 10 may supply each of the primary power supplyingcircuits 191 to 19 n with electric power. The primary power supplyingcircuits 191 to 19 n may supply the driven circuit 16 with the electricpower. The power supply 1 voltage detection circuit 14 may detect avoltage of the primary power supplying circuit 191. The detection resultmay be given to the power supplying circuit use control signalgeneration circuit 8 as a power supplying control signal 1.

In this embodiment, a device 111 that should firstly operates mayinclude a power supplying circuit use control signal generation circuit8 and a control signal generation circuit use power supplying circuit 7.Remaining devices 112 to 11 n can commonly utilize these circuits.Further, the secondary power supplying circuit for each device may besupplied with power from the power source 10. In other respects, theconfiguration may be similar to that of the second embodiment. Further,since the secondary power supplying circuit use the control signalgeneration circuit 8 in remaining devices 112 to 11 n, conditiondetection signals output from the respective devices 112 to 11 n may begiven to the secondary power supplying circuit use control signalgeneration circuit 8.

In the above-described embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, an exemplarydriven circuits in which two or more power supplies should bedependently controlled in core and I/O sections is described as a drivencircuit 16. However, such example is also applicable to a system 11′arranged to provide a single power supply to a plurality of circuits 1to n as illustrated in FIG. 11.

In this way, the above-described embodiment may be applied not only to adevice in which two or more electric power sources are dependentlycontrolled to be supplied in core and I/O sections, but also to anapparatus configured by driven circuits that operates with differentvoltages. As a result, power consumption may be reduced and a circuitmay be downsized.

FIG. 12 is a block chart illustrating a fifth embodiment. The system ofFIG. 12 may include a device 11, in which two or more different powersshould be dependently controlled to be supplied in core and I/O sectionsin a similar manner to the first embodiment. The fifth embodimentincludes almost the same configurations and functions to the secondembodiment except for the following applicable configurations andfunctions.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, electric power of a power source 10 may besupplied to a driven circuit 5 that performs a main control or the likeas a principal. In FIG. 12, although a single circuit is described asthe driven circuit 5 for convenience sake, and the driven circuit 5 ispractically independently configured as a main circuit, it may beconfigured with a part of a circuit of the driven circuit 11 asmentioned later.

The control signal generation circuit 5 a may receive a driven circuitpower supply condition signal from the system, a feed back signal fromthe electric power supplying signal, a control signal such as a clocksignal, a reset signal, etc., and a power supply voltage detectionsignal from the voltage detection circuit provided in the powersupplying circuit 6. The control signal generation circuit 5 a may thenoutput a driven circuit use control signal such as a driven circuit useclock, a reset signal, etc., and electric power supplying controlsignals 1 to n.

Timings and order of turning ON/OFF of the respective voltage 2 to ninput sections ON/OFF may be determined and controlled by the electricpower supplying control signals 1 to n. As a result, power consumptioncan be lowered. In addition, the control signal generation circuit 5 amay receive feedback of the electric power supplying control signal. Thedriven circuit 11 may be driven in a prescribed order in accordance withits condition.

A sixth embodiment of the present invention is now described withreference to FIG. 13. The sixth embodiment may constitute the controlsignal generation circuit 5 a of FIG. 12 by a first control signalgeneration circuit for generating clock and reset signals, and asecondary power supplying circuit use control signal generation circuit17 that is provided in a device 11 in which two or more power sources ofits core and I/O sections should be dependently controlled. Also in thedriven circuit 16 provided in the device 11, one or more circuits towhich two or more power supplies should be dependently controlled to begiven are provided in its core and I/O sections. When comparing with thesecond embodiment of FIG. 2, the former has almost the sameconfigurations and functions therewith except for a feed back signalgiven to the secondary power supplying circuit use control signalgeneration circuit 17. Specifically, the second embodiment assigns acondition signal from the driven circuit 16 as the feedback signal. Incontrast, the embodiment of FIG. 13 uses a signal from the secondaryelectric power supplying control signal as the feedback signal, and theremaining configuration may be substantially the same.

Also in the sixth embodiment, various signals of FIG. 4 may be outputunder the conditions of FIG. 3. FIG. 14 is a chart illustrating aspecific embodiment of a secondary power supplying circuit use controlsignal generation circuit 17.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, a combination circuit and delaying circuitmay form the secondary power supplying circuit use control signalgeneration circuit 17. The secondary power supplying circuit use controlsignal generation circuit 17 may receive a driven circuit power supplycondition signal from a system controller, a control signal such as areset signal from a control signal generation circuit, and a primarypower supply voltage detection signal from a primary power supplyvoltage detection circuit. The secondary power supplying circuit usecontrol signal generation circuit 17 may control a memory circuit 170, acondition change detection circuit 171 for detecting time up, and acounter circuit 172 to output a driven circuit use control signal suchas clock and reset signals, a primary electric power supplying controlsignal, and secondary electric power supplying control signals 1 to n,respectively.

A seventh embodiment of the present invention is now described withreference to FIG. 15. When comparing with the third embodiment of FIG.8, the embodiment of FIG. 15 has almost the same configurations andfunctions therewith except for a feed back signal given to the secondarypower supplying circuit use control signal generation circuit 17.Specifically, the third embodiment assigns a condition signal from thedriven circuit 16 as the feedback signal. In contrast, the embodiment ofFIG. 15 uses a signal from the secondary electric power supplyingcontrol signal as the feed back signal, and the remaining configurationmay be substantially the same.

An eighth embodiment of the present invention is described withreference to FIG. 16. When comparing with the fourth embodiment, theeight embodiment of FIG. 16 has almost the same configurations andfunctions therewith except for that a feed back signal is given to thepower supplying circuit use control signal generation circuit 8.Specifically, the fourth embodiment uses a condition signal from thedriven circuit 16 as a feedback signal. In contrast, the embodiment ofFIG. 16 uses a signal from a electric power supplying control signal asthe feedback signal, and the remaining configuration may besubstantially the same with the embodiment of FIG. 9.

The mechanisms and processes set forth in the present patentspecification may be implemented using one or more conventional generalpurpose microprocessors and/or signal processors programmed according tothe teachings in the present disclosure as will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the relevant arts. Appropriate software coding can readily beprepared by skilled programmers based on the teachings of the presentdisclosure, as will also be apparent to those skilled in the relevantarts. However, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art,the present teaching also may be implemented by the preparation ofapplication-specific integrated circuits by interconnecting anappropriate network of conventional component circuits or by acombination thereof with one or more conventional general purposemicroprocessors and/or signal processors programmed accordingly. Thepresent system thus also includes a computer-based product which may behosted on a storage medium and include, but is not limited to, any typeof disk including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, magnet-opticaldisks, ROMs, RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, flashmemory, magnetic or opticalcards, or any type of media suitable for storing electronicinstructions.

Numerous additional modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is thereforeto be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, thepresent invention may be practiced otherwise than as specificallydescribed herein.

This application claims priority under 35 USC §119 to Japanese PatentApplication No. 2001-086584 filed on Mar. 26, 2001, the entire contentsof which are herein incorporated by reference.

1. A semiconductor power supplying apparatus driven by at least onepower source, said semiconductor power supplying apparatus comprising: apower supplying circuit that converts electrical power from the powersource and supplies at least two driven circuits with the convertedelectric power in accordance with voltages that the driven circuitsneed; and a power supplying control signal generation circuit thatgenerates a power supplying control signal for controlling operations ofthe power supplying circuit, on a basis of a driven circuit powersupplying condition signal for determining a power supplying conditionof the at least two driven circuits, wherein said power supplyingcontrol signal generation circuit determines an order of supplying powerto the at least two driven circuits such that supply of the convertedelectric power to a first driven circuit of the at least two drivencircuits depends on supply of the converted electric power to a seconddriven circuit of the at least two driven circuits, wherein the powersupplying control signal generation circuit generates a power supplyingcontrol signal to supply the first driven circuit with convertedelectric power only after a driven circuit power supplying conditionsignal for the second driven circuit indicates an ON condition of thesecond driven circuit and a driven circuit power supplying conditionsignal for a third driven circuit of the at least two driven circuitsindicates an ON condition of the third driven circuit.
 2. An electronicinstrument including a semiconductor power supplying system driven by atleast one power source, said semiconductor power supplying systemcomprising: a power supplying circuit that converts electrical powerfrom the power source and supplies at least two driven circuits with theconverted electric power in accordance with voltages that the drivencircuits need; and a power supplying control signal generation circuitthat generates a power supplying control signal for controllingoperations of the power supplying circuit, on a basis of a drivencircuit power supplying condition signal for determining a powersupplying condition of the at least two driven circuits, wherein saidpower supplying control signal generation circuit determines an order ofsupplying power to the at least two driven circuits such that supply ofthe converted electric power to a first driven circuit of the at leasttwo driven circuits depends on supply of the converted electric power toa second driven circuit of the at least two driven circuits, wherein thepower supplying control signal generation circuit generates a powersupplying control signal to supply the first driven circuit withconverted electric power only after a driven circuit power supplyingcondition signal for the second driven circuit indicates an ON conditionof the second driven circuit and a driven circuit power supplyingcondition signal for a third driven circuit of the at least two drivencircuits indicates an ON condition of the third driven circuit.
 3. Thesemiconductor power supplying apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe power supplying control signal generation circuit generates a powersupplying control signal to supply the first driven circuit withconverted electric power only after a driven circuit power supplyingcondition signal for the second driven circuit indicates an ON conditionof the second driven circuit.
 4. The semiconductor power supplyingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power supplying controlsignal generation circuit generates a power supplying control signal tosupply the first driven circuit with converted electric power only aftera driven circuit power supplying condition signal for the second drivencircuit indicates that a predetermined voltage is being supplied to thesecond driven circuit.
 5. The semiconductor power supplying apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the power supplying control signalgeneration circuit generates a power supplying control signal to supplythe first driven circuit with converted electric power only after apredetermined period of time after a driven circuit power supplyingcondition signal for the second driven circuit indicates an ON conditionof the second driven circuit.
 6. A semiconductor power supplyingapparatus driven by at least one power source, said semiconductor powersupplying apparatus comprising: a power supplying circuit that convertselectrical power from the power source and supplies at least two drivencircuits with the converted electric power in accordance with voltagesthat the driven circuits need; and a power supplying control signalgeneration circuit that generates a power supplying control signal forcontrolling operations of the power supplying circuit, on a basis of adriven circuit power supplying condition signal for determining a powersupplying condition of the at least two driven circuits, wherein saidpower supplying control signal generation circuit determines an order ofsupplying power to the at least two driven circuits such that supply ofthe converted electric power to a first driven circuit of the at leasttwo driven circuits depends on supply of the converted electric power toa second driven circuit of the at least two driven circuits, wherein thepower supplying control signal generation circuit generates a powersupplying control signal to supply the first driven circuit withconverted electric power only after a driven circuit power supplyingcondition signal for the second driven circuit indicates an ON conditionof the second driven circuit and the power supplying control signalgeneration circuit generates a power supplying control signal to supplythe second driven circuit with converted electric power only after adriven circuit power supplying condition signal for a third drivencircuit of the at least two driven circuits indicates an ON condition ofthe third driven circuit.
 7. The semiconductor power supplying apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the power supplying control signalgeneration circuit generates a power supplying control signal to stopsupplying the first driven circuit with converted electric power after apredetermined period of time after a driven circuit power supplyingcondition signal for the second driven circuit indicates an OFFcondition of the second driven circuit.
 8. The semiconductor powersupplying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power supplyingcontrol signal generation circuit generates a power supplying controlsignal to supply the first driven circuit with converted electric poweronly after a power supplying control signal is generated by the powersupplying control signal generation circuit to supply the second drivencircuit with converted electric power.